Saturday, October 19, 2013

World Chess Championship 2013 interviews: The next few weeks are testing times for chess wizard Viswanathan Anand. For, he is busy getting himself ready - both mentally and physically - for his World Championship match against World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen next month in Chennai.

In between all the hype around the match, Vishy, as he is called, made it a point to spend time with his family for Navaratri, a festival he loves. He gets talking to us on his upcoming match, inspirations and more.

How are you preparing yourself for the big clash against Carlsen? It's been months of preparation - both in terms of chess, and physical work. Now, it's the last mile. So, I'm just taking it easy and getting ready for the match.

You were in Chennai recently for Golu celebrations. How did you spend your time? I enjoyed seeing Akhil (son) in his Indian attire at the golus. Navarathri is a beautiful time to be in Chennai. The daily visits, guests, healthy sundals and music... it's all so beautiful. Importantly, Navaratri is a family effort - arranging the dolls and planning the scenic backdrops that go into it. This year has been hectic due to visits to other golus, but it was mainly about Akhil.

You must miss Aruna and Akhil a lot when you're away touring. How does Akhil react when you talk to him over the phone and when you're back home, how do you bond with him? We like playing together; there are lots pillow fights at home! He has this book - Happy Hippo Angry Duck - that we love reading together. The trick is to pretend that we are reading it for the first time every time. His favourite pastime now is counting; so, we count anything these days. And, of course, there's Tom and Jerry; while he cheers for Jerry, I support Tom. I love it when he wakes me up in the morning with my brush and says, "Brush teeth."

In your career, how have you handled pressure, during and before a match? What are some things you do to ensure that it doesn't get to you? It's very difficult to keep a checklist because always, the one thing you don't want to think about will pop right into the head. I try to keep a cool face and for the rest, just rely on my game.

How friendly are you with Carlsen? We are cordial with each other.

In a previous interview, you mentioned that you rarely get time to watch movies, and that you last watched Rajinikanth's Sivaji... Well, I watched Kahaani and liked it a lot. I hope to watch The Lunchbox soon. But I have been watching classic Rajini films like Billa, etc...

Finally, would you consider this as the most important match of your career, and why? Each match I play is the most important one yet.

Meanwhile, these days, India is abuzz with the announcement of cricket star Sachin Tendulkar. The Little Master's final two Tests will clash with the World Chess Championship match between Viswanathan Anand and his Norwegian challenger Magnus Carlsen scheduled to be held in Chennai from November 7 to 28.

The first Test against the Caribbeans will be played in Kolkata from November 6 to 10 and the second - Tendulkar's 200th - will be held in Mumbai from November 14 to 18.

Hopefully, a cricket fan himself, Viswanathan Anand won't be distracted from the cricket happenings as he plays chess against the World No. 1.

It was last year when Sachin Tendulkar was struggling with his form that he received support from five-time World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand who urged him to continue playing as long as he wanted.

“Criticism is fine, but if you still like playing it’s crazy to stop for no reason. In sport there is no question that it favours young people in general. But I really want to play chess still,” the 43-year-old Anand had told reporters here at a promotional event.

“I am lucky to have the chance to play and I intend to use it. I imagine the same for him (Tendulkar),” India’s first Grandmaster (1988) said.

Terming 40 as just a number, Anand had said it’s funny when one is questioned about age.

“The first question people ask is when are you going to retire? And if both of you want to retire, can one of you retire... It’s a little bit funny. In my case, I don’t think there is any fundamental change from December 10, 2009 to December 11, 2010. But it seems to affect the way people see you,” Anand, who turned 43 on December 11, said.

The chess wizard clubbed Tendulkar, former India captain Sourav Ganguly, tennis veteran Leander Paes as three top icons he had seen.

“In general I have seen a lot of Leander Paes... I might have started a few years earlier but Sachin and I have been there for quite a long time. Sourav was there for quite a good part there as well. I think most of our careers we share together,” he said.

Asked whether age was a factor, he said, “I don’t think the number 40 has any particular significance with chess. In chess, you definitely get more time.”

“There is a certain wear and tear in physical sport.

There are sports like football and tennis, where people would be amazed if you continue beyond 32-33.”

However, Anand said he did not wish to play beyond 50.

“I think 50 is kind of a barrier. For me, I don’t expect to be playing top chess when I am 60. But still there are a few years left. In the meantime, I want to enjoy as much as possible.

But Anand said he would like to win as many world titles as possible.

“I have not fixed any number to it. It’s as many as they will let me in,” he had remarked with a smile.

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We've been celebrating the World Chess Championship 2013. The new World Chess Champion is Magnus Carslen, but we will continue to post links, views, features surrounding the World Chess Championship 2013 for the sheer joy of having witnessed chess history being created. Feel free to share opinion, links, and even point out errors - no matter which side you have been cheering for. Let's just continue celebrating a historic chess event. (Email: editor@blackandwhiteindia.com)